Patrick hat-trick gives Bamford big boost as Boro sink Leeds

Patrick Bamford (right) celebrates his first goal for Boro against Leeds United. Picture by Bruce Rollinson

Published:06:30Saturday 03 March 2018

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Middlesbrough climbed into the Sky Bet Championship play-off positions as Patrick Bamford’s first career hat-trick secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Leeds United last night.

The temperature might have been well below freezing, but Bamford was in red-hot form as he made it six goals in his last three games with a well-taken treble.

Bamford says that he is relishing his central role, having notched twice in last weekend’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Sunderland.

“I enjoy it a lot more (playing as a centre-forward). I don’t mind playing anywhere for the team, I’ll do a job wherever the boss asks me to if it’s for the good of the team,” the 24-year-old told mfc.co.uk.

“Playing out on the left, that wasn’t a problem for me.

“I know ideally I want to play up front, but I’ll give my all for playing out on the left, but I learned a lot playing in that position as well. Now it’s nice to be back up front.

“It was a good game and personally I’m really happy for the team as well because I think that was our most solid performance for the whole 90 minutes.

“Every player can take credit.”

Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “It was disappointing.

“We were second best and I’m especially disappointed with the goals.

“It’s not acceptable and we’ll get to where we want to be with that performance.